A Nation Divided – Part 4: Hope Matters

The great divide is easily noticeable when one thinks about our nation’s politics. I read somewhere – and I apologize for not recalling the source – that decades ago, Democrats and Republicans were considered friends with a difference in opinion. Today, Republicans and Democrats are, to put it simply, enemies.

In the past few weeks, I’ve written about what I believe to be a few reasons why we continue to be divided – you can read them here. Today, I’m closing this series with what I believe to be the biggest reason why we are so divided … we’ve given up hope.

Over the past decade, hope has taken a beating. People have gone out of their way to let their friends and neighbors know that “hope is not a strategy” and “if all you have is hope, you’ve got nothing.” Too many of us have bought in to these false prophecies and have, in many ways, given up hope.

Hope: A valuable currency

Hope may not be a strategy but it has tremendous currency and we should never underestimate its power.

Hope that his new product will change the world is what drives the start-up entrepreneur.

Hope for a better tomorrow for her children is what helps the single mom who’s working two jobs keep doing what she’s doing.

Hope, and courage, is what kept allied soldiers alive during the worst battles of the first and second world wars.

Hope for a second chance is what keeps the addict from taking another hit.

Hope for a life devoid of war is what keeps the refugee going on his journey to a new homeland, even in the face of danger and certain death.

Hope that she’ll meet her Lord and Savior is what gives the woman battling cancer peace in her final moments.

Hope that they’d come back to earth and be reunited with family is what kept the crew of Apollo 13 focused and on task after their spaceship malfunctioned.

When All Is Said and Done

One thing is for certain – hope is stronger than fear. It is a universal currency – one that has value and meaning the world over.

Hope should not be the only tool in one’s quiver but it MUST be part of the equation.

Hope is what makes America great and a close reading of our Constitution reveals that our Founding Fathers were full of hope. This hope is clearly embedded in the tone and language used in this most important document.

We owe it to ourselves, and to the story that is America, to not give up hope.